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CHAPTER I

A BRIEF PERSONAL AND POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY OF

KAMARAJ

EARLY LIFE

Kumaraswami Kamaraj was born on July 15, 1903 in a middle

class Nadar family at Virudupatti1, a small village situated forty-eight

kilometers South of Madurai in Madras Presidency. His parents were

Kumaraswami and Sivakamiammal.2 Kamaraj was initially named as

Kamatchi in gratitude and reverence to the famous deity. However,

later the name was changed to Kamaraj.3 Two years later a girl was

born to the couple and was named Nagammal.

Virudupatti was situated in Ramanathapuram District, which

was well known for cotton and tobacco. The leading community of

the district was the Nadars. They were staunch Hindus and claimed to

be Kshatriyas-Naadalwars (rulers of the land). The village

Virudupatti gradually grew as a trade centre of the district and came

to be called ‘Virudunagar’.

Kamaraj was, by nature, retired, shy and soft-spoken. In fact

he spoke very little unlike the boys of his age. He was sent to school

at the age of five4 and received harsh treatments, like many other

boys, from a primary school teacher Velayutham, known as ‘nondi

1 S.R. Bakshi, K.Kamaraj – The Patriot and Statesman, (New Delhi: Anmol

Publications, 1992), p.1. 2

S. Gausalya, Gandhi and Kamaraj, (Madurai : Best Institute of Nonviolence and

Women Studies (BINOWS), 2002), p.18. 3 R. ParthaSarathy, Builders of modern India – K.Kamaraj, (New Delhi:

Publication Division, Ministry of information and Broadcasting, Government of

India, 1983), p.2. 4 P. Kandaswamy, The Political Career of K.Kamaraj, (New Delhi: Concept

publishing Company, 2001), p.20.

11

vathiyar’ (lame teacher), who did not believe in sparing the rod.5

Disappointed at Kamaraj’s first such experiences of school, the

parents shifted him to Enaditha Nayanar Vidyasala, an elementary

school that was run by a person by name Murugayya. Kamaraj learnt

here to read and write in Tamil. In the following years he was

transferred to Kshatriya Vidayasala, the only high school then in

Virudupatti.6

This school was known as ‘pidi arisi’ (hand full of rice) school

since the school had started to offer free education, by Nadar

community, and each family in Virudunagar contributed a hand full

of rice for providing meals at the school.7 Kamaraj was enrolled in

the school in academic year 1910-11.

In the same year, for the occasion of ‘vinayaka chathurthi’, the

yearly celebration for the elephant God, every pupil in his class had

contributed some amount of money (about 9 Paise) for the

celebrations. At the end of the day’s celebrations ‘prasadam’

(eatables offered to the God) was distributed to all pupils, however,

Kamaraj managed to receive a very little portion of it and returned

home. When his grandmother asked him why the prasadam was so

less, he explained that his contribution was exactly same as others but

since he was not interested in crowding around the teacher who

distributed the prasadam, he got only a little of it. He further argued

5 R. ParthaSarathy, Op.cit., p.2.

6 V. K. Narasimhan, Kamaraj-A Study, (Bombay: National Book Trust of India,

2007), p.4. 7 Muruga Dhanushkodi, Kamaraj Oru Charithram (Kamaraj – A History),

(Chennai: Poompuhar Publications, 1976), pp.17-18.

12

that the problem was with the teacher since he was responsible for

sharing the prasadam equally to all who had contributed equally.8

Another interesting incident that happened of about the same

period also sheds some light on his early boyhood character. The

elephant of the temple of Virudupatti ran out of control on the streets

and Kamaraj, like many other, happened to notice it. He observed that

the iron chain the elephant used to have on its trunk was missing and

rushed back to the temple to bring the chain since he expected the

elephant could psychologically be controlled at the sight of the chain.

He was correct and the elephant came to a control. Another reason

was that the mahout Mariappa Thevar and Kamaraj had gained

acquaintance with each other previously and the face of Kamaraj thus

could have been more familiar to the elephant.9

TURNING POINTS

Responsibilities to Family

The year 1911 rather turned out quite calamitous for young

Kamaraj. Kamaraj’s grandfather Chinnappa Nadar passed away on

First of July and within four months Kamaraj’s father passed away on

October 16. The income of the family came to a sudden and shocking

halt as both the earning members of the family had demised within a

very short span of time and the family was left only women and

children. Kamaraj and his sister were in their age of eight and six

respectively and their mother did not have any source of income for

the family.10

8 G. Balan, Kamarajar Vazhkayum Aatchiyum (Life and Administration of

Kamaraj), (Chennai: Vanathi Publishers, 2010), pp.17-18. 9 A. M. Rajendran, Thyaga Deepam Kamarajar (Kamaraj – A Martyr), (Sivakasi:

Parameshwari Enterprises, 2003), p.11. 10

G. Balan, Op.cit., p.19.

13

Though Karuppaiah, Kamaraj’s maternal uncle, came forward

to help the family, Kamaraj’s mother Sivakamiammal was not willing

to accept the help as she considered depending on others to run the

family was not the right thing. She sold all her jewels for Rs.3000 and

invested the money in with a trustable local trader. The interest of the

investment helped the family with Rs.30 per month and she managed

well with this meager sum11

and also hoped that the family could

survive until the completion of Kamaraj’s elementary school. She

also expected Kamaraj, upon completion of his primary schooling, to

join his uncle’s cloth business to support the family.12

Kamaraj was not showing much interest in studies and his

teacher Sargunam advised him quite often how important it was for

him to study well, citing his family’s tough economic position.

However the preaching did not bring any significant changes in

young Kamaraj in terms of academic performance, in fact, it got

worse. The prime distraction for Kamaraj from studies was the

interest in learning about freedom struggle of India and his teacher

even noticed that Kamaraj often talked to fellow students about

Gandhi and his Satyagraha, even at that tender age.13

Soon after the pressure on young Kamaraj mounted, to earn for

supporting the family, he joined as an apprentice at his uncle

Karuppaiah’s cloth shop in 1914. While working in the cloth shop at

Virudupatti, Kamaraj had developed an interest in the national

11

G. Balan, Op.cit., p.19. 12

S.R. Bakshi, Op.cit., p.2. 13

A. Sargunam, Enadhu Manavar Kamaraj (My Student Kamaraj), (Madras :

Kamaraj 60th Birthday Commemoration Volume, 1962), p.1.

14

politics by when he was a regular reader of daily newspapers.14

During the same time he was also interested in joining the ‘Bhajans’

(songs in praise of the Lord) on Lord Muruga and had become a

member of the team organised by Kandasamy Pulavar, a devotee of

Lord Muruga. As a young boy he was quite interested in physical

exercises. He regularly practiced ‘silambam’(a type of martial arts

and exercise that is practiced with long sticks) and boxing.15

Joining The Congress Party

Kamaraj’s interest on Indian freedom struggle had intensified

during the cloth shop days through posters of ‘Vande Matharam’

activists and from speeches of freedom fighters like

V.O.Chidambaram, Subramanya Siva, Subramanya Bharathi, etc,. It

was on April 01, 1915; Gandhi came from South Africa back to India

to participate in the freedom struggle.16

Kamaraj’s mounting interests

on politics and stand against British for freedom of nation worried his

mother and she decided to send him away from Virudunagar so that

his political connections will get severed.

Kamaraj was sent to another uncle Kasinadar’s timber shop in

Trivandrum and the mother strongly believed that his son’s freedom

movement involvement would come to an end. It was there in

Vaikom, a village near Trivandrum, Kamaraj participated in E. V.

Ramasamy’s (E.V.R) struggle against the prohibition of lower caste

people’s entry in to temples. Eventually, since Kamaraj’s uncle could

14

M.S. Muthuswamy, K.Kamaraj – A Sociopolitical Study, (Madras: Avvai

Publishers, 1988), p.43. 15

P. Kandaswamy, Op.cit., p.23. 16


15

not control the activities of Kamaraj beyond the scope of timber shop,

he sent him back to Virudunagar.17

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, a tragedy at which over a

thousand people were killed at a gathering against the Rowlatt Act

that had harsh measures for controlling the nationalist movements, in

Amritsar, Punjab happened on April 13, 1919. The tragedy sent

strong waves of shock and resentment across the country.

When Kamaraj learned the details of the massacre, it disturbed

him so much and he started thinking deeply about participating in

freedom struggle more actively. Soon after the massacre, prominent

leaders of Congress Party started to spread the details of the tragedy

through their speeches across the country and Kamaraj happened to

listen to speeches of George Joseph, Lakshmana Pillai and

Satyamurthi at Virudunagar. Among all of them Satyamurthi attracted

Kamaraj and on the same day Kamaraj met him. These incidents of

Jallainwala Bagh and subsequent meeting with Satyamurthi turned

the life of Kamaraj once for all.18

By then the First World War had already ended and India had

supported British Government in the War. However after the war no

sign of favour was shown from British towards the freedom of India.

The disappointment together with bitterness of Jallianwala Bagh

further intensified the freedom movements. People revolt and

Satyagraha (non-violent protest devised by Gandhi) became more

acute and the British Government began to control the protests

17

Mukilai Rasapandiyan, Kaalam Thantha Kamaraj (Kamaraj – The Gift of

Time), (Chennai: Kovan Publishers, 2002), p.27. 18


16

aggressively by arresting the leaders of Congress Party. People of

India, especially the youth, rose against the control of British and

Kamaraj was no exception.19

He joined the Congress Party in 191920

and he readily responded to Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.

Kamaraj was then just eighteen years old.21

Decision to remain a Bachelor for life

During this time, Kamaraj’s mother tried to get his only son

married to his sister Nagammal’s eldest daughter Mangalam. The

mother’s interest was to divert his son’s interest and activities in

freedom fighting by tying him with the burden of starting a family.

However, Kamaraj firmly refused and declared that he had no

slightest idea of getting married or starting a family but decided to

dedicate his life to free India. Kamaraj’s mother was shocked but did

not compel her son right away as she believed the time would bring

changes to his decision. After a year she tried to convince Kamaraj to

marry Nagammal’s another daughter Kamala Devi. Kamaraj refused

firmly, again.22

To make his stand clear once and for all, he offered his mother

and family with two choices that they would have to either forget

about his marriage or forget about him. Kamaraj’s mother did not

insist on his marriage thereafter and he remained a bachelor for whole

of his life.23

19

Angamuthu, Thamizhagam Thantha Arasiyal Mamedhaigal (Political Leaders

of Tamilnadu), (Chennai: Senthamizh Publishers, 2004), p.10. 20


Palayam M Balasundaram, Kamaraj and his Secrets of Success, (Madras:

Poompuhar Publications, 1982), p.43. 22

Personal interview with Kamala Devi, daughter of Nagammal (sister of

Kamaraj), at Virudunagar on 16th July 2009

23 Muruga Dhanushkodi, Op.cit., p.27.

17

Meeting with Gandhi

Kamaraj for the first time met Gandhi on September 21, 1921,

after two years from his joining in the Congress Party. Gandhi was on

his visit to Madurai, as a part of his broader tour across India to

gather people’s support for the Satyagraha and freedom movements.

After Gandhi’s address to public in Madurai, Kamaraj met him that

night at the place where Gandhi had stayed.24

That meeting had energised Kamaraj even stronger than before

in freedom fighting and subsequently he arranged many public

addresses and conferences to national leaders to spread the need of

freedom of nation among the masses.25

Early Positions in Congress Party

In 1922, Kamaraj was elected as a member of Madras

Presidency Congress Party at a conference held at Sattur Taluk that

was led by E.V.Ramasamy. Kamaraj was also the secretary of

Inauguration Committee for this conference.26

Subsequently in 1923,

he led the picketing of toddy shops at Madurai but he was not arrested

in the protest.27

FREEDOM STRUGGLE AND POLITICAL ASCENSION

Flag Satyagraha

British Government had banned, in 1923, the carrying of

Indian National Congress’ flag in Nagpur residential areas. Congress

Party announced Flag Satyagraha against this ban and Congress Party

members from all over the country were invited to Nagpur to

24


Ibid., p.28. 26

Muruga Dhanushkodi, Op.cit., p.27. 27

Ibid., p.29.

18

participate in the protest against the ban. From Tamilnadu, Kamaraj

led the efforts and guided supporters to Nagpur. However, before

their arrival to Nagpur, the Flag Satyagraha had been withdrawn.28

Sword Satyagraha

In 1927, British Government banned the carrying of swords

and similar long knives by Indians. Congress Party decided to send a

strong signal to the British against the ban. Sword Satyagraha was

begun on June 16, 1927.29

Kamaraj and his friend K.S.Muthusamy of Virudunagar

assisted the Satyagrahis by supplying them with half a dozen

swords.30

Kamaraj also organised a procession in Virudunagar and

his plan was to extend the procession to Madurai. At the procession

Kamaraj went along with singing the patriotic songs of Bharathi

(famous nationalist Tamil poet of the State)31

.

Neill Satyagraha

General James George Smith Neill, who was known for his

cruel killing of India soldiers in Sepoy Mutiny 1857, had been given

honour by erecting a statue for him at Mount Road, Chennai in

1860.32

On October 11, 1927, an agitation was launched by the

Madras Congress Party to remove the Neill Statue.

28

K. Sakthivel, Kamarajarin Porkala Aatchi (The Golden Rule of Kamaraj),

(Chennai : Avvai Publications, 2003), p.149. 29


Srinivasa Varadhan, Personal Statement of Political Personalities,

(Madras:Vol.108, TNA), p.7; M.S. Muthuswamy, Op.cit., p.44 31


Inscription depicted below Neill Statue, Connemara Museum, Chennai

19

Gandhi had given his consent for the proposal and emphasised

the activities should be limited to throwing of small clay balls to

indicate the hatred that people of India have for Neill.33

However,

many leaders including Somayajulu and Srinivasa Varadhan

succeeded in breaking a portion of the sheath of the sword carried by

Neill and hoisting the national flag on it.34

Eventually the Neill statue

was removed after a decade, in 1937, and placed in Connemara

museum.35

Meeting with Jawaharlal Nehru

The 43rd

annual session of Indian National Congress was

scheduled in Tamilnadu. In 1927, the session happened near Egmore,

Chennai at the place ‘Erikarai Thidal’. Dr.Ansari was the president of

the session and Kamaraj participated on behalf of Tamilnadu

Congress Party.36

Nehru was on Europe tour and he came to attend

the session with his family from the tour. In his address he explained

the details of complete freedom, self-governance, and war threats

amongst other important issues. Proposals were made on all these

issues and were unanimously agreed by the Party. Kamaraj met

Nehru there for the first time, together with Satyamurthi, and

managed to ensure Nehru’s presence for a conference he was

arranging at his hometown Virudunagar.37

33

Eesanthimangalam Murugesan, Karmaveerar Kamarajar (Kamaraj – The Man

of Action), (Chennai: Ramaiah Publishers, 2007), p.23. 34

Fortnightly Reports, August 1927, as quoted in S. Gausalya, Op.cit., p.27. 35

Eesanthimangalam Murugesan, Op.cit., p.23. 36

N.V. Kalaimani, Thesiya Thalaivar Kamaraj (Kamaraj – A National Hero),

(Madurai: Ashta Lakshmi Nilayam, 1995), p.177. 37

Ibid., p.178.

20

Simon Go Back

Indian Statutory Commission (commonly known as Simon

Commission after its chairman Sir John Simon) constituted by British

Government, was strongly opposed by Congress Party as the

Commission did not have any representatives from India. Nehru was

already in action supporting the protests against the Commission. On

February 18, 1929, the Simon Commission arrived at High Court

premises in Madras38

and March 01, 1929 to Madurai39

. Kamaraj had

arranged and organised thousands of Congress Party members for

showing plaques with inscriptions of “SIMON GO BACK”.

Salt Satyagraha and First Jail Term

In 1930, Gandhi took Dandi March to defy salt law. In

Tamilnadu, Rajaji led the Salt Satyagraha with volunteers from

Tiruchi to Vedaranyam in Thanjavur district.40

Kamaraj gathered and

guided the volunteers for the march and got arrested. On June 09,

1930, he was given two years of imprisonment and sent to Alipuram

Jail.41

However, he was released from jail after Gandhi-Irwin Pact on

March 12, 1931.42

This was the first imprisonment in his political

career.

Getting in to Working Committee

The provincial meeting of the Congress Party was held in

Madurai in 1931 under the chairmanship of Satyamurthi. Kamaraj

was elected as a member of the Working Committee to represent

38

G. Balan, Varalatril Vaazhum Sadhanai Sandrorgal, (Chennai: Vanathi

Publishers, 2009), p290 39

Kamaraj (1903 – 1975) Pamphlet (Chennai: Ministry of Information and

Broadcasting, Dec 1986) 40

R. ParthaSarathy, Op.cit., p.7. 41

Jail Slips J. 316, J. 626, Ramanathapuram District, TNA, Chennai 42

Ibid.

21

Ramanathapuram and that could be considered as the first important

official key position Kamaraj held in Tamilnadu Congress Party.43

Break of Gandhi-Irwin Pact and Second Jail Term

Gandhi-Irwin Pact turned out unsuccessful and Gandhi

returned, disappointed, from Second Round-Table Conference that

was held in London, 1931. Though Kamaraj did not act against the

prohibitory orders, the British Government anticipated trouble and

arrested Kamaraj in 1931. He was sent to Vellore Jail.44

He was

released on January 09, 193345

after serving his second term Jail

tenure.

False Accusations

Despite his strong adherence to non-violence principles, at

least on two occasions Kamaraj was attempted to be accused by the

Police for connections with acts of violence.

In 1933, Kamaraj was attempted to be arrested for planning to

murder the Governor Sir John Anderson. He was accused of

arranging a revolver. But he could not be arrested as no evidence

suggested his presence at the station where the plan was carried out as

per the approver’s statement. Later the case was proven to be a false

accusation by T.Prakasam, lawyer of the case on behalf of Kamaraj.

Another occasion was to charge Kamaraj, together with his friends

Muthusamy and Mariappa, with an attempt to bomb Virudunagar

Police Station. Lawyer George joseph proved that the case was

baseless and falsely charged by the Police.46

43

Palayam M Balasundaram, Op.cit., p.46. 44

R. ParthaSarathy, Op.cit., p.8. 45

Jail Slips, Op.cit., 46

Arun, Antha Naalil (In Those Days), (Chennai: Malligai Publishers, 1963), p.46.

22

General Secretary of Tamilnadu Congress Committee (TNCC)

In 1936, the contest between Sathyamurthi and

C.N.Muthuranga Mudaliyar for the post of President of TNCC had

resulted in the victory of Sathyamurthi, with the support of Rajaji.

After Sathyamurthi was elected as President, he chose Kamaraj as

General Secretary.47

His appointment as General Secretary of TNCC

provided him the opportunity to accompany Nehru on his tour to

Tamilnadu in 1936. Nehru was impressed by Kamaraj’s ability for

organising and his dedication to Congress Party.48

Member of Legislative Assembly (M.L.A)

In 1937, Kamaraj was elected as a Member of Legislative

Assembly, one of the members of Sattur Double Member

Constituency, Ramanathapuram district, without any opposition.49

Though Kamaraj was not well received by Sattur people initially,

they very soon realised the potentials of Kamaraj and his dedication

to serve them. His opponent from Justice Party, Ramasamy, realising

the masses were with Kamaraj, withdrew his nomination that resulted

in unopposed election of Kamaraj.50

Though the Justice Party

nominee withdrew, the poll still went on and Kamaraj had secured

35,927 votes.51

President of Tamilnadu Congress Committee (TNCC)

In 1940, Tamilnadu Congress President Elections, both

Sathyamurthi and Rajaji groups were convinced, based on reflections

of the grass roots, that the President to be elected should be a non-

47

A. K. Navaneetha Krishnan, Mudalamaichar Kamarajar (Kamaraj as Chief

Minister), (Chennai: V. M. Publications, 2009), p.52. 48


T. S. Chokkalingam, Op.cit., p.16. 50

A. K. Navaneetha Krishnan, Op.cit., p.52. 51

G.O.No.810, Public MS.(Series) Election, 1937, 26th April 1937.

23

Brahmin. Initially Rajaji had convinced Satyamurthi on his

suggestion of C.P.Suppiah as candidate for President of TNCC.

However, Kamaraj firmly refused mentioning that he had nothing

personal against Suppiah, but he preferred someone from

Sathyamurthi supporters like Muniswamy Pillai, Rukmani

Lakshmipathy or Kumaraswamy Raja.52

Eventually, Rajaji and Muthuranga Mudaliyar supported

Suppiah and Satyamurthi supported Kamaraj for President. Kamaraj

secured a marginal victory by gaining 103 votes against Suppiah who

had got 100 votes. Kamaraj, at his age of thirty seven, became the

president of TNCC. Satyamurthi had no hesitation to work as a

General Secretary. The relationship between Satyamurthi and

Kamaraj was beyond their titles in the Party. From then until 1954,

for fourteen years, Kamaraj remained as President of TNCC.53

Individual Satyagraha and Third Jail Term

In October 1940 Gandhi had started individual Satyagraha

after the horrible experiences in the past where multitudes of

Satyagrahis experienced violent treatments, which had resulted in

mass casualties, by the British Government.

Kamaraj was arrested on December 20, 1940 when he was on

his way to Wardha, to secure the approval of Gandhi in the selection

of individual Satyagrahis, under the defense of India rules for

speeches opposing contribution to Second World War fund.54

He was

52

T. S. Chokkalingam, Op.cit., p.18. 53


P.C. Ganesan, Kamaraj-The Great National Leader, (Madras: Arunodhayam,

1975), p.47. as quoted in S. Lalithalakshmi, Kamaraj-The Administrator,

(Unpublished Ph.D., thesis, University of Madras, TNA,1981), p.13.

24

elected as Chairman of Virudunagar Municipal Council during his jail

term. This was his third jail term. After nine months of his election as

Chairman, when he was released from jail in November 02, 1941, he

submitted his resignation citing his duties to the Congress Party.55

Quit India Movement and Fourth Jail Term

On August 08, 1942, the All India Congress Committee

(A.I.C.C) that convened at Bombay passed the Quit India resolution.

Gandhi wanted all his Congress men to actively get involved in this

new movement with a never before stronger slogan, ‘Do or Die’.56

The resolution was proposed by Nehru. He stated that India’s self-

respect could not be auctioned and also called for an eternal struggle

until freedom. Sardar Vallabhai Patel, who was later known as Iron

Man of India, seconded the proposal.57

On his way from Bombay to Tamilnadu, after participating in

the A.I.C.C. meet, Kamaraj managed to escape the Police security

that had been tightened at all the railway stations from Bombay to

Madras to arrest all those Congress Party leaders who had taken part

in the meet. He went to the house of his friend and State Congress

Committee member K.R.Kalyanarama Iyer’s house.58

Kamaraj explained to him that he had to organise for the Quit

India movement by meeting his Party men at Thanjavur, Tiruchi,

Madurai and Tirunelveli before he get arrested. His friend envisaged

that the Police may smell his presence at his residence and thus

shifted Kamaraj to his friend Janab Mohammed Sulaiman’s out-

55

G. Balan, Op.cit., pp.35-36. 56

R. ParthaSarathy, Op.Cit. p.14. 57

N. V. Kalaimani, Op.Cit. p.270. 58

Eesanthimangalam Murugesan, Op.cit., p.42.

25

house. Kamaraj successfully managed for the whole of next week,

travelling to Tirunelveli as per his plan, without getting caught by the

Police and meeting the key people to pass the information on the

details and methods of protest.59

After a week, on August 16, 1942, after completing all the

organising work for successful and strong protest for Quit India, the

task he had to complete, he called the Police and declared that he was

ready to be arrested. Inspector Ezhuthachan met Kamaraj and

explained to him that a Police man with arrest warrant had gone to

Ariyalur and thus he had no objection to allow Kamaraj to rest for

couple of days until the warrant comes back. But Kamaraj, who had

already spent above three-thousand days in jail from his earlier three

terms, replied that many of his friends had been arrested and he had

no pleasure whatsoever to stay out of jail. He further continued that

staying in jail gives him more satisfaction than staying out.60

That was Kamaraj’s fourth and last time in jail that lasted for

almost three years from August 16, 1942 to June 30, 1945. He was

transferred to Amarotti jail for two years and then back to Vellore jail

for the last year.61

During these long jail sentences, Kamaraj

continued to be the President of T.N.C.C since the elections to all the

Congress Party bodies had been suspended during World War II.62

59

Eesanthimangalam Murugesan, Op.cit., p. 43. 60

Muruga Dhanushkodi, Op.cit., pp.71-72 61

Jail Slips, Op.Cit. 62

Palayam M Balasundaram, Op.cit., p.47.

26

RAJAJI AND KAMARAJ – THE TWO POLES IN CONGRESS

During Kamaraj’s last term in jail, his friend and mentor

Satyamurthi, passed away on March 28, 1943.63

Rajaji was not in

favour of Quit India from the beginning and also was in support of

separation of Pakistan.

Cripps’ Mission came to India on March 23, to get the support

of the people of India. The Mission spoke to all the leaders of

Congress Party including Gandhi, Jinnah and Rajaji. The proposal by

the Mission was to, eventually, free India and consented on the

rejoining of ‘Samasthanams’(similar to provinces that were ruled by

Kings). Congress had rejected this proposal. Jinnah, on April 11,

1942, requested creation of a separate nation ‘Pakistan’ with parts of

majority Muslims in the nation and sought the British to split the

country in to two and announce free India and free Pakistan. Rajaji

supported this proposal and formulated his plan in July 1944 that was

known as “Rajaji Plan”.

Most Congress leaders were against Rajaji on this since they

did not like the idea of separation and also did not prefer to go against

Gandhi. Rajaji resigned from Congress Party’s membership on April

03, 1943 and continued to be stubborn on his stand on both Pakistan

issue and Quit India. It was that period where Kamaraj, though in Jail,

had remained indispensable to Tamilnadu Congress Party since the

two major forces, Satyamuthi and Rajaji, were out of Congress.64

63

A. Gopanna, Kamaraj Oru Sagaptham (Kamaraj – An Epoch), (Chennai: Nava

India Publishers, 2003), p.84. 64


27

Kamaraj’s Release from Jail and Rajaji’s Comeback

Since the Congress Party was banned from 1942, a new

organisation by name ‘Congress Sangam’ had been started by

Muthuranga Mudaliyar to keep the members intact. Another group

under Rajaji’s leadership started ‘First Class Congress Sangam’ for

the same purpose. Kamaraj was released from jail, in June 1945.65

By then Rajaji expressed his wishes to rejoin the Congress

Party. Gandhi had no reservation to induct Rajaji again in to Congress

Party despite Rajaji’s stake on Quit India and Pakistan Separation.

Rajaji also suggested a joint-tour with Kamaraj throughout

Tamilnadu so that to create the impression to the masses that Rajaji

had been formally accepted. Though Kamaraj accepted the

arrangement, he postponed the date.66

On March 30, 1945 at Tiruchengodu in Salem, the Congress

Committee Secretary announced that Rajaji had been selected as a

member of the committee without any opposition.67

Kamaraj reacted

to this by raising hot questions on how Rajaji was elected as a

member without the knowledge of the President. Kamaraj had

staunch supporters for him across the Party and Rajaji attempted to

balance this with his influence in the high command of A.I.C.C.

As the conflict between Kamaraj and Rajaji grew intense, the

news reached A.I.C.C President Moulana Azad through Aruna Asif

Ali and subsequently to Sardar Patel who had the ultimate power to

65

Extracts from Fortnightly Reports, 1945-47, TNA, Madras 66

S. Gausalya, Op.cit., pp.43-44. 67

A. Gopanna, Op.cit., p.35.

28

control the Party disputes. Patel contacted Kamaraj and Rajaji for a

rapprochement.68

At the end of that, both Rajaji and Kamaraj agreed to have a

committee of eight members in the State as Parliamentary Board,

which was to contain three members from Rajaji’s nomination and

another three members by Kamaraj’s nomination. However, the

arrangement indirectly favoured Kamaraj since the remaining two

members were himself as President and Vice President who was his

supporter.69

Gandhi’s Visit to Tamilnadu

Gandhi visited Tamilnadu on January 21, 1946 to take part in

the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Dhakshina Bharatha Hindi Prachar

Sabha and he toured Tamilnadu for two weeks.70

He planned to use

that tour, under the disguise of pilgrimage, to establish his support to

Rajaji as the conflicts within the Party in the Madras State had

become very turbulent.

Gandhi was received by both Rajaji and Kamaraj. Kamaraj

accompanied him, as President of T.N.C.C, throughout the tour.71

After returning to Wardha, Gandhi wrote in Harijan as follows;

“Rajaji is one of my oldest friends and was known to be the

best exponent in word and deed of all I stand for. That in 1942 he

differed from me. His political wisdom and integrity are beyond

68

N. V. Kalaimani, Op.cit., pp.204-205. 69

Ibid., p. 206. 70

The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol.83, p.9, as quoted in S. Gausalya,

Op.cit., p.45. 71

T. S. Chokkalingam, Op.cit., p.38.

29

question. I was therefore pained to find a clique against him. It is a

clique that evidently courts in the official Congress in Madras. But

the masses are devoted to Rajaji. I am neither vain nor foolish

enough to feel that I could have had the huge public demonstrations

all along the route of pilgrimage if he had no influence with the

masses in Tamilnadu….But I would be less than loyal to the

organisation if I did not warn them against losing the valuable

services which no one can shoulder as Rajaji can at the present

moment”.72

Kamaraj’s Resignation and Come back

Kamaraj was hurt by the mention of Gandhi as ‘Clique’,

referring to those who were against Rajaji, which actually pointed to

Kamaraj and his supporters. Kamaraj expressed, on February 12,

1946 that he was deeply affected by the Clique mention by Gandhi.

He also stated that, as head of Tamilnadu Congress Party,

Gandhi’s reference could be applicable only to him and he extended

his disappointment to Gandhi for not discussing any Party related

matters during his visit to Tamilnadu. Kamaraj further stated that

neither he nor his colleagues were interested in aspiration of any kind

of office, at any rate.73

Then he submitted his resignation and added that he would

obey the decisions of T.N.C.C and A.I.C.C against his resignation.

After this, B. Varadarajulu Naidu wrote a letter to Gandhi explaining

what Kamaraj had done to Congress in the past twenty five years and

72

Harijan, 10th February 1946

73 Palayam M Balasundaram, Op.cit., p.123.

30

his influence over people of the State. Gandhi replied that he would

not interfere in the conflicts between Rajaji and Kamaraj anymore.

Pattabhi Seetharamaiah also met Gandhi and explained the

caliber of Kamaraj and situation in Tamilnadu Congress in detail.74

Eventually at the end of it, Rajaji resigned from Congress Party and

Kamaraj was elected as the President again.75

KINGMAKER IN THE STATE

Post Assembly Elections - 1946

Kamaraj was elected as an M.L.A from Sattur Constituency

again with 30,998 votes76

in 1946 Assembly Elections. Kamaraj met

Gandhi for the discussion on nomination of candidature for Chief

Minister of Tamilnadu. Initially Gandhi had either Rajaji or Pattabhi

Seetharamaiah for the position in his mind and did not like the

nomination of T. Prakasam.

After further discussion, Kamaraj expressed to Gandhi that he

would support Pattabhi Seetharamiah and also demanded Rajaji’s

support too for him. Gandhi agreed to this arrangement, however,

T. Prakasam decided to contest for Chief Ministership. Eventually,

T. Prakasam became the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency on

April 30, 1946. But in less than a year, no confidence motion was

brought upon Prakasam’s leadership and he was voted out.77

With the

74

C.P.S. Vairavan, Kamarajarudan Kaal Nootrandu (A Quarter Century with

Kamaraj), (Chennai: Ramana Communications, 2009), pp.65-66 75

Ibid. 76

G.O.No.822, Public (Election), 4th Apr 1946, p.92. 77

G. Balan, Op.cit., pp.48-49.

31

support of Kamaraj, O.P.Ramasamy Reddiyar assumed power as

Chief Minister of the State on March 23, 1947.78

India’s Attainment of Freedom and Assassination of Gandhi

British Prime Minister Atlee announced Mountbatten as

Viceroy of India to transfer the power completely to India before June

01, 1948.79

Subsequently, Mountbatten discussed with leaders of the

Congress Party, Gandhi, Jinnah, Nehru, Patel, Azad, etc., and the

decision was made to split India in to India and Pakistan. On August

15, 1947, Mountbatten transferred the power to India and raised

India’s tri-coloured flag instead of Union-Jack.80

Gandhi was occupied in his attempts to stop the communal

riots that had broken out in the aftermath of split of Pakistan when his

colleagues of freedom struggle and the people of India were basking

in the glory of freedom of India. Gandhi was shot dead on January 30,

1948 at 5.17P.M and the news shocked Kamaraj radically.81

Kamaraj and Rajaji Together

On April 06, 1949, Kumarasamy Raja assumed power as Chief

Minister of Madras Presidency succeeding O.P.Ramasamy Reddiyar.

Kamaraj was instrumental in his election.82

It was during his tenure

India attained the Republic Status on January 26, 1950. On August

29, 1950, Kamaraj was elected as President of T.N.C.C for the fourth

78

The Hindu, Madras, 24th Mar 1947, p.4. as quoted in H.K. Sulaiman Khan,

History of Power Struggle in the Congress Party in Tamilnadu, 1885-2006,

(Unpublished Ph.D Thesis, University of Madras, TNA, 2006), p285 79

G. Venkatesan, History of Contemporary India, (Rajapalayam,

V.C.Publications, 2009), p.1. 80

Ibid., p.2. 81

M. Ilangovan, Kamrasar Kaaviyam (Epic of Kamaraj), (Chennai: Murugan

Publications, 2001), p.153 82

Ananda Vikatan, Weekly, March 30, 2011, p.68.

32

time.83

The first time was in 1940, second time in 1946 and the third

time was in 1948. By this time he had already been the President for a

decade.

According to the 1950 Constitution, free India had its first

General Election in 1952. Though Congress was single largest Party,

it did not secure absolute majority in the election, securing 152 out of

375 Constituencies in the State.84

Despite Kamaraj’s opinion, the

United Democratic Front (U.D.F), which had been formed by

Communist initiatives with more than six different Parties to make up

the majority, leaders like T.T.Krishnamachari wanted Rajaji to

become the head of the ministry.85

Kamaraj agreed to the proposal and expressed his support to

Rajaji. However he resigned his position as President of T.N.C.C for

two reasons; first is to own the responsibility, as President, for the

Congress not securing a majority in the elections and the second is to

free up the position of President to someone who could cooperate

well with Rajaji.86

P. Subbarayan was elected as President of T.N.C.C,

succeeding Kamaraj’s resignation, on April 30, 1952. However he

could not manage his responsibilities as head of T.N.C.C. and laid

down office, after just eight months, on December 26, 1952. Kamaraj

was once again chosen as President of T.N.C.C on the same day, for

the fifth time. Thus Kamaraj as President of T.N.C.C and Rajaji as

83

K. Pachaimal, Kamarajar Kalanjiam (Kamaraj Trivia), (Nagercoil,

Thamizhagam Publishers, 2003), p.15. 84

Mukilai Rasapandiyan, Op.cit., p.54. 85


Ibid.

33

leader of Congress Legislative Party (C.L.P) worked together for the

next two years until April 1954.87

Fall of Rajaji

Though Rajaji proved as an efficient administrator of food

crisis and managing communists, few of his decisions and comments

raised his own Party members and public against him. First he

suggested that Congress must be dissolved since the purpose of

Congress was to achieve freedom to India.88

Further, as a measure of

rigorous cost reduction, he passed orders that Congress ‘Thyagis’ –

who had fought for freedom during the struggle – should not have

land allotments as it was against Gandhi’s principles of not increasing

personal assets.89

Besides, he had shown some favoritism for

Brahmins by reappointing Brahmins who were already retired from

service for many positions. Even his ministers were disappointed with

these decisions.90

The culmination came when he introduced New Elementary

Education Scheme without widespread discussions with educationists

and even without consulting his education minister. The issue of

implementation of the policy reached a point where Rajaji had to

choose between giving up his scheme and renouncing his Chief

Ministership. Finally, he resigned, stating that the rejection of his

scheme is actually equivalent to the rejection of himself, on May 25,

1954.91

87


Muruga Dhanushkodi, Op.cit., pp.71-72. 89

T.S.Chokkalingam, Op.cit., p.38. 90

A. Gopanna, Op.cit., pp.136-138. 91

Ananda Vikatan, Op.cit., p.69.

34

At that time of Rajaji’s resignation, Madras Presidency did not

have Andhra Pradesh as the language based split of the Presidency

had resulted in a separate State of Andhra Pradesh. Initially Madras

City had been planned to be attached to Andhra Pradesh, but Rajaji

and Kamaraj were successful in convincing Nehru and Shastri on

retaining Madras with Tamilnadu.92

KAMARAJ AS CHIEF MINISTER OF THE STATE

At the time of Rajaji’s resignation, Kamaraj was the President

of T.N.C.C. and also a Member of Parliament from Srivilliputhur

Parliamentary Constituency in first General Elections of 1952.

Kamaraj had secured 46.77% of votes against G.D.Naidu

(independent contester) who had secured 34.73% votes.93

The

vacuum created by Rajaji, it was felt among the Party, could be better

filled with Kamaraj as Chief Minister. When Kamaraj was

approached by Varadarajulu Naidu, he refused initially and later

reluctantly agreed upon realising the respect and confidence the Party

leaders and his colleagues had for him.94

C.Subramaniam contested

his election as Chief Minister but secured only 41 votes against

Kamaraj who had secured 93 votes.95

First Cabinet - 1954

Kamaraj, before assuming power, emphasised that he would

agree to deliver his duties as Chief Minister if, and only if, the Party

members and the Legislative Assembly members could promise that

92

G. Balan, Varalatril Vaazhum Sadhanai Sandrorgal, Op.cit., p.286. 93

Report on the First General Elections of India 1951-52, Vol.11, (Election

Commission, India, TNA, Madras), pp.54-55; G.O.No.520, Public

(Miscellaneous) Department, 13th April 1954

94 Sivaranjan, Makkal Thalaivar Kamaraj (Kamaraj – Leader of the Masses),

(Chennai: Mercuryson Publications, 2009), p.55. 95

V.K. Narasimhan, Op.cit., p.47.

35

they would never approach him for any favour.96

Kamaraj’s first

cabinet was sworn in on the Tamil New Year day of April 13, 1954.97

His first cabinet contained only seven ministers, excluding him.

Their respective portfolios were as follows;98

96

Sivaranjan, Op.cit., p.55. 97

The Hindu, April 14, 1954, p.1. 98

Commemoration Issue of New Legislative Assembly Secretariat, (Ministry of

Information and Publicity, TNA, Chennai, 2010), p.238.

36

Table No. 1 – Portfolio details of Kamaraj’s First Cabinet - 1954

Name of the

Cabinet Minister Portfolio

K.Kamaraj Chief Minister in charge of Public and Police in

the Home Department

A.B.Shetty Minister in charge of Medical and Public Health,

Co-operation, Housing and Ex-servicemen.

M.Bakthavatsalam Minister in charge of Agriculture, Forests,

Fisheries, Cinchona, Rural Welfare, Community

Projects, National Extension Scheme, Women’s

Welfare, Industries and Labour and Veterinary

C.Subramaniam Minister in charge of Finance, Food, Education,

and Information and Publicity and Law

M.A.Manickavelu Minister in charge of Land Revenue and

Commercial Taxes and Rural Development

R.Shanmuga

Rajeswara

Sethupathi

Minister in charge of Public Works,

Accommodation Control, Engineering Colleges,

Stationary and Printing including Establishment

questions of the Stationary Department and the

Government Press

B.Parameswaran Minister in charge of Transport, Harijan Uplift,

Hindu Religious Endowments, Registration and

Prohibition

S.S.Ramasamy

Padayachi

Minister in charge of Local Administration

This first cabinet lasted for three years until March 13, 1957. It

can also be noted that C.Subramaniam who contested Kamaraj’s

leadership as Chief Minister, was given the important cabinet

37

ministries of Finance, Education and Law. Kamaraj had reduced the

size of the cabinet, from twelve under Rajaji, to eight. Besides, apart

from including the supporters of Rajaji like C.Subramaniam in the

ministry he had also exercised due care not to include those who

strongly opposed Rajaji. This approach calmed the supporters of

Rajaji in the Party. He had also included Ramasamy Padayachi, who

had strong views against Congress, in the cabinet.99

When Kamaraj was sworn in as Chief Minister, he was not an

M.L.A. He did not exercise the easy backdoor entry by becoming a

Member of Legislative Council (M.L.C.) but wanted to be elected by

people directly. At the same time, he did not prefer the M.L.A. of

Virudunagar to resign in order for him to contest the familiar

constituency.

Gudiyatham Constituency, in North Arcot district, did not

have an M.L.A. at that point and Kamaraj decided to contest there.

His campaign was successful in getting the support of the people.

Except for the Communists, no other Parties raised against Kamaraj.

Kamaraj was also supported by Dravidar Kazhagam (D.K.) and

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (D.M.K.) and articles were written in

favour of Kamaraj in the dailies by the leaders of these Parties.100

As

a result, Kamaraj managed a mass victory by securing 64,334 votes

against the Communist contester K. Kothandaraman who had secured

26,132 votes.101

99

H.K.Sulaiman Khan, Op.cit., p.329. 100

Eesanthimangalam Murugesan, Op.cit., p.98. 101

G.O.No.1484, Public (Election) Department, 30th August 1954

38

Second Cabinet - 1957

Kamaraj contested in 1957 General Elections of Madras State

at Sattur Constituency and elected as an M.L.A by securing 36,400

votes against his opponent 31, 683 votes.102

Congress Party in the State had won the majority with 151

seats out of 205103

and Kamaraj sworn in as Chief Minister for the

second consecutive time on April 13, 1957. His second cabinet

ministry also had seven ministers, same as to the first one, with some

changes in the ministers and their key portfolio, as follows;104

Table No. 2 - Portfolio details of Kamaraj’s Second Cabinet - 1957

Name of the


K.Kamaraj Chief Minister in charge of Public, Planning and

Development including Local Development

Works, Women’s Welfare, Community Projects

and Rural Welfare, National Extension Scheme

R.Venkataraman Minister in charge of Industries Development

M.Bakthavatsalam Minister in charge of Home Affairs

C.Subramaniam Minister in charge of Finance, Food and

Education

M.A.Manickavelu Minister in charge of Land Revenue and


P.Kakkan Minister in charge of Public Works

V.Ramaiah Minister in charge of Electricity

Lourdhammal

Simon

Minister in charge of Local Administration

102

General Elections in Madras State 1957, Election Data Analysis, (Public

(Elections) Department, Government of Madras, 1960, TNA, Madras), pp.66-67 103

Thi.Mu.Ka.Varalaaru (History of D.M.K), (Madras: Kazhagam Veliyeedu,

1973) 104

Commemoration Issue, Op.cit., p.239.

39

It can be noted that Kamaraj had been meticulous in selecting

the portfolio to his cabinet ministers according to their expertise and

capabilities for the best results and he had also increased the portfolio

for himself. This could be interpreted as both taking up more

responsibilities and also reducing the work load for his cabinet that

had the least size in the whole of Indian States at that point in time.

His second cabinet had a women minister too.

Nehru Unveiled Kamaraj Statue

On October 10, 1961, Nehru unveiled Kamaraj’s statue near

Gymkhana Club, Mount Road at Chennai.105

Nehru stated that he had

a policy not to unveil statues for living personalities but he exempted

Kamaraj since he was undoubtedly more than a usual living person.

He further continued that Kamaraj was more than a friend and leader

of the masses and had determination and dedication to fulfill the

needs of people in the State beyond his resources.106

Third Cabinet - 1962

Kamaraj was re-elected from Sattur Constituency in 1962

General Elections. Kamaraj had secured 56% of the total votes

polled.107

105

Makkal Thalaivar Kamaraj (Kamaraj – Leader of the People), (Chennai: Paari

Nilayam, 1963), p.37. 106

C.D.Sankaranarayanan, Perunthalaivar Kamarajarin Vazhvum Thondum (Life

and Contributions of Kamaraj), (Chennai: Mullai Nilayam, 2000), p.74 107

Thamizharasu, (Director of Information and Publicity, Government of

Tamilnadu, Madras, 1971), p.148.

40

Table No. 3 -Poll details for Sattur Constituency – General Assembly

Elections (1962)

Total Electorate 101,991

Total Poll 89,331

K.Kamaraj (Congress Party) 49,950

P.Ramamoorthy (Swatantra Party) 33,506

Ramasamy Reddiyar (Independent) 2,811

Invalid Votes 3,044

Congress had won and secured an absolute majority of 136 out

of the total 206 Constituencies. Kamaraj’s new cabinet sworn in on

the forenoon of March 15, 1962 and continued in office throughout

the calendar year 1962.108

The size of Kamaraj’s third cabinet ministry had been

increased from seven ministers to eight, however, it was still the

smallest cabinet in the country compared to other States, with some

changes in the ministers and their key portfolio, as follows;109

108

Legislative Measures and Popular Ministries, Schemes, Projects, Historical

Events and Visits from 1921-1974, TNA, Madras, 1993, p.212. 109

Commemoration Issue, Op.cit., p.239.

41

Table No. 4 - Portfolio details of Kamaraj’s Third Cabinet - 1962

Name of the


K.Kamaraj Chief Minister in charge of Public, Planning

and Development including Local Development

Works, Women’s Welfare, Community Projects

and Rural Welfare, National Extension Scheme

R.Venkataraman Minister in charge of Land Revenue and


M.Bakthavatsalam Minister in charge of Finance and Education

G.Bhuvaraghan Minister in charge of Publicity and Information

N.Nallasenapathi

Sarkarai mandradiar

Minister in charge of Co-operation and Forests

P.Kakkan Minister in charge of Agriculture

V.Ramaiah Minister in charge of Public Works and

Revenue

Jothi Venkatachalam Minister in charge of Public Health

S.M.Abdul Majid Minister in charge of Local Administration

Apart from the smallest size of the cabinet it also had

additional features in the structure. There were two Harijans, one

women and a Muslim. Four members of the cabinet were new and the

remaining was from the existed cabinet.

G. Boovaraghan, twenty-nine, was probably the youngest

cabinet minister in the country. This structure shows the courage

42

Kamaraj had in the youth and also his interests to represent all groups

of people in the cabinet.110

KAMARAJ PLAN (K-PLAN)

Despite the fact that Congress Party in Tamilnadu had won the

majority and had secured two percent more poll compared to 1957

elections, another fact was that it had lost 13 seats in the Assembly.

D.M.K Party under the leadership of C.N. Annadurai had emerged

with 50 M.L.A.s while the Party in 1957 elections had managed to

win only 15 Constituencies.

For 1962 elections, Kamaraj had intensified campaign in those

15 Constituencies which were with D.M.K. and successfully

recovered 14 out of 15 Constituencies from D.M.K sparing one where

the D.M.K.’s treasurer had retained the Constituency by a very small

margin. However, D.M.K had managed to capture 49 new

Constituencies and thus increased their share in the Assembly from

15 to 50.111

Kamaraj realised that the masses were being attracted towards

D.M.K despite the welfare measures Kamaraj Government had been

executing for the people. He concluded that Congressmen had started

to focus their energy and time towards the power and positions in the

Government and thus the same had to be diverted to full-fledged

people service in order to recover the Party from fall.

110

Fortnightly Confidential Report for the First Half, 28th March 1962, (TNA,

Chennai), p.17. 111

V.K. Narasimhan, Op.cit., p.15.

43

Kamaraj decided to resign from his position as Chief Minister,

and thus to lead by example, to strengthen the Party.112

This idea of

Kamaraj, those leaders in Congress who were holding power and

office to resign their positions and return to strengthen the Party, was

known as K-Plan.

Kamaraj, while speaking to reporters in 1963 at Hyderabad

after getting approval from Nehru for the K-Plan, said that position

and power should not be an asset to any specific individuals in the

Party and thus retaining any positions for more than a decade could

not be expected to confer any good on the Party.113

He further added

that upon his resignation, he would visit every village in Tamilnadu

to induct full time Congress Party workers who have faith and sincere

interests in the Party in order to strengthen Party to the roots.114

On August 12, 1963, Nehru declared in Delhi Legislative

Members Meet that the plan by Kamaraj was extremely novel,

unparalleled and revolutionary and no other Parties would even

imagine such a scheme. He agreed that initially he had hesitations to

accept Kamaraj’s proposal but later convinced after Kamaraj

explained the details.115

He further confirmed the K-Plan, more than

Tamilnadu, could strengthen the Party across India. He published the

list of ministers in the Central Government and State Government

Chief Ministers to resign, and return to strengthening the Party, on

August 24, 1963.116

112

Ananda Vikatan, September 29, 1963, p.23. 113

A.R. Aranganathan, Kamarajarai Santhithen (Meeting with Kamaraj),

(Chennai: Manonmani Publishers, 1967), p.18. 114

Navasakthi, (Tamil Daily), July 17, 1963, p.3. 115

S.K. Swamy, Dhesathilagam Kamaraj (Kamaraj – An Identity of the Nation),

(Chennai: Sekar Publications, 1965), p.56 116

Ibid., p.57

44

Table No. 5 - Central Cabinet Ministers renounced office by K-Plan

Name of Central Minister Portfolio

Lal Bahadur Shastri Home

Morarji Desai Finance

Jegajeevan Ram Postal Department

S.K.Patil Food

Gopal Reddy Radio and Broadcasting

Sri Mali Education

Table No. 6 – Chief Ministers renounced office by K-Plan

Name of Chief Minister State

Kamaraj Tamilnadu

Patnaik Orissa

C.P.Gupta Uttar Pradesh

Binodanandhja Bihar

Mandlai Madhya Pradesh

Kamaraj resigned on October 02, 1963. E.V. Ramasamy, the

leader of D.K. sent a telegram to Kamaraj that the resignation was

equivalent of suicide of people of Tamilnadu as well as Kamaraj

himself.117

E.V.R had been consistently writing and campaigning in

support of Kamaraj throughout the decade of Kamaraj’s Chief

Ministership in Tamilnadu, though the principles of D.K. were not

completely in line with Congress Party’s.118

117

C.P.S. Vairavan, Op.cit., p.129. 118

A. Gopanna, Periyarum Perunthalaivarum (Kamaraj and E.V.R), (Chennai:

Nava India Publishers, 2007), p.6.

45

PIVOTAL ROLE FOR THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

After Kamaraj’s resignation, Bakthavatsalam succeeded

Kamaraj as Chief Minister of Tamilnadu and his new ministry took

office on October 02, 1963 in the afternoon.119

When Kamaraj had expressed the K-Plan to Nehru, Nehru had

expressed his wish of making Kamaraj as President of A.I.C.C. but

Kamaraj had refused to accept citing that he needed to go back and

strengthen the Party in Tamilnadu.120

However, after three months,

Nehru managed to propose and elect Kamaraj as President of

A.I.C.C. unanimously on January 01, 1964.121

The 68th

Indian National Congress Conference was held on

January 05, 1964 at Bhubaneshwar in Orissa.122

Kamaraj detailed in

the conference on how Congress was responsible for fulfilling the

basic needs of the people. During the session, Nehru suddenly fell ill

and he was advised to take rest. This was the first time that the

Congress session was carried on in the absence of Nehru after

Independence.123

Nehru did not fully recover from his illness and

after five months he passed away on May 27, 1964.124

After the demise of Nehru, Gulzarilal Nanda was appointed as

acting Prime Minister, as senior most member of the cabinet, by

President Radhakrishnan.125

Kamaraj had Lalbahadur Shastri in mind

119

Legislative Measures, Op.cit., p.220 120


Navasakthi, 3rd

October 1963, p.2. 122

Arun, Bhuvaneshwar Congress, (Madras: TNCC Veliyeedu, 1964), p.32. 123

The Hindu, January 8, 1964, p.1. 124

The Hindu, May 28, 1964, p.1. 125

Ibid.

46

as Prime Minister Candidate126

but Morarji Desai had also expressed

his willingness to become Prime Minister. Kamaraj decided to choose

the next Prime Minister unanimously without contest and Congress

Working Committee (C.W.C.) authorised Kamaraj to facilitate in

getting the consensus.127

Kamaraj spoke to Morarji Desai about electing L.B.Shastri as

Prime Minister and got his consent. Morarji was not quite happy

about giving up but wanted to maintain discipline in the Party.

Eventually, on June 02, 1964, L.B.Shastri’s candidature for Prime

Minister was proposed by Gulzarilal Nanda and Morarji seconded

it.128

War between India and Pakistan broke out in 1965 and the

whole attention of the country turned to win the war. Kamaraj and

Shastri went to war front at Lahore to encourage the soldiers.129

The

War came to an end after Tashkent Agreement. It was signed between

Indian Prime Minister Shastri and President Ayub Khan of

Pakistan.130

Soon after the agreement, Shastri passed away on January 10,

1966 in a heart attack.131

After the demise of Shastri, there were five

leaders, Morarji, Nanda, Chawan, Jegajeevan Ram and S.K.Patil, in

the Congress Party interested in nominating themselves for the Prime

Minister Candidature and each of them believed strongly that they

were the best choice. However, Kamaraj had Indira Gandhi, daughter

126

Savi, 6th September 1987, p.19. 127

A.N. Zaidi and S.G. Zaidi, p.580. quoted in S. Gausalya, Op.cit., p.63. 128

S. Gausalya, Op.cit., p.64 129

Muruga Dhanushkodi, Op.cit., pp.232-234. 130

The Hindu, December 10, 1965, p.1. 131

The Hindu, December 11, 1965, p.1.

47

of Nehru, in his mind to propose for Prime Minister Candidature.132

Point to be noted here is that three of them, Morarji, Jegajeevan Ram

and S.K.Patil, had been the ones resigned their respective cabinet

ministries under K-Plan.

Upon Kamaraj’s announcement of India as his candidate,

except Morarji, the others decided not to contest. Kamaraj, as once

again he preferred the leadership to be elected unanimously, met

Morarji and requested not to contest but he remained stubborn.

Eventually on January 19, 1966, Indira Gandhi secured 355 votes

against Morarji who had secured only 169 votes, just less than half of

what Indira Gandhi had received.133

Kamaraj had once again decided

and succeeded in choosing the two Prime Ministers of the country,

after Nehru.

FOREIGN TOURS

Early in 1966, Kamaraj had been invited to visit USA, Europe

and USSR by the respective country’s leaders. He could not accept as

he had a significant role to play in deciding Prime Minister Candidate

and to stabilise the process of election. Upon Indira Gandhi’s election

as Prime Minister, after six months, Kamaraj was relieved and flew to

Europe and USSR between July 22 and August 15 of 1966. He visited

Kremlin, Stalingrad, Leningrad, and Moscow in the USSR. He was

an unusual visitor to USSR since he was not a Communist leader.

From USSR he flew to East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary,

Bulgaria and Yugoslavia before returning to India. Apart from the

132

M.G. Selvaraj, Indiavin Sigaram Thalaivar Kamaraj (Kamaraj – The Greatest

Leader of India), (Chennai: Chakravarthi Publications, 1998), p.80. 133

A.G. Subramanian, Great Achievers, (Chennai: Puthaga Ulagam, 2009), p.63.

48

Europe and USSR trips, he had earlier visited Sri Lanka and Malaysia

between 1950 and 1954.134

ASSASINATION ATTEMPT

On 1st November 1966, staunch Hindus and Jana Sangh

members conducted a rally in front of Parliament, for passing anti

cow-slaughter law.135

Kamaraj condemned this rally in his speech in

Congress Working Committee meet on November 02, 1966. He also

rejected any discussions regarding the issue in CWC.136

Soon after, on November 07, 1966, massive rally was

organised by Hindu movements in New Delhi under the leadership of

Sankaracharyas.137

The demonstration grew violent and turned to

damaging the properties. The crowd then moved to Kamaraj’s

residence and set fire. Kamaraj was moved to Parliamentary

Members Club and the fire was put out. By the time the Police

arrived, the mob had disappeared.138

134

Ibid., p.86. 135

Personal interview with Vairavan, 26th April 1989, as quoted in S. Gausalya,

Op.cit., p.69. 136

K. Veeramani, Kamarajar Kolai Muyarchi Charithram (History of Attempts to

Assasinate Kamaraj), (Chennai: Periyar Suyamariathai Prachara Niruvanam,

1967), p.20. 137

The Hindu, November 8, 1966, p.1. 138

V.K. Narasimhan, Op.cit., pp.136-137.

49

FALL OF KAMARAJ AND CONFLICTS WITH INDIRA

GANDHI

In 1967 General Assembly Elections of Tamilnadu, Kamaraj

lost his contest against D.M.K contestant P.Seenivasan, for

Virudunagar Constituency, in a small margin. The details were as

follows;139

Table No. 7 - Poll details for Virudunagar Constituency – General

Assembly Elections (1967)


Total Poll 69,593

K. Kamaraj (Congress Party) 32,136

P. Seenivasan (D.M.K) 33,506

R. Periya Karuppan (Independent) 838

K. Palanisamy Nadar (Independent) 579

Invalid Votes 2,619

D.M.K had secured 138 Constituencies out of the contested

173 Constituencies, an 80% success. Congress Party had secured only

50 out of contested 234 Constituencies, about 80% failure. In the

Assembly, the strength of Congress was 21% and the D.M.K’s

strength was 59%, others filled the remaining 20%.140

The food scarcity in the State and poor management of the

issue by Bakthavatsalam Government were generally the prime

causes while attractive speeches and promises to fix food scarcity by

D.M.K leaders were considered as the secondary causes by political

139

Who is Who, Madras Legislative Assembly, (Government of Madras, 1968),

p.125. 140

Report on the Fourth General Elections of Madras, 1967, Vol.3, Table No.175,

(Government of Madras, 1968), p.375.

50

experts, for the defeat of Congress Party. Kamaraj continued to be the

President of A.I.C.C during this period.

By this time the relationship between Indira Gandhi and

Kamaraj had gradually become rough due to many disagreements on

the issues of devaluation of Rupee,141

Candidate selection for

President Election,142

and cabinet ministers selection, etc.

Basically Kamaraj’s principle was to resolve conflicts by

discussion in both at Party level and National level discussions and to

strengthen the Party by consensus and thus creating singular voice in

all the issues, but Indira Gandhi’s was the opposite. She exercised her

power as Prime Minister and did not believe in consulting with Party

leaders for any issues.

Indira Gandhi mentioned in one of the Party meetings that no

person defeated in any of the Public elections was morally qualified

to contest in Party elections since that individual had already lost the

confidence of the Public. Kamaraj understood that Indira Gandhi’s

comment was indirectly targeted at preventing Kamaraj’s re-election

as Party president. He submitted his resignation from his position of

President of A.I.C.C. on December 07, 1967.143

141

The Hindu, June 5, 1966, p.1. 142

S. Gausalya, Op.cit., p.77. 143

Morarji Desai, The Story of My Life, Vol.II, p.247.

51

After a year, Kamaraj contested for Member of Parliament

from Nagercoil Parliamentary Constituency and won the by-election

on January 08, 1969.144

The details of that election results were as

follows;145

Table No. 8 - Poll details for Nagercoil Parliamentary Constituency –

By-elections (1969)


Total Poll 401,600

K.Kamaraj (Congress Party) 249,437

M.Mathias (Swatantra Party) 121,236

In the same year Kamaraj’s mother passed away.146

Indira

Gandhi, upon Kamaraj’s election as Member of Parliament,

expressed her wish to make Kamaraj as a cabinet minister but he

refused to accept the offer. He supported the A.I.C.C President

Nijalingappa and was against Indira Gandhi on almost all

decisions.147

In late 1969, half of the Congress Working Committee

Members adopted a resolution seeking to expel Indira Gandhi from

primary membership of the Party, for violation of the Party discipline,

and asked for election of new leader to represent Congress Party in

the Parliament.148

As a counter attack, Indira Gandhi declared that

A.I.C.C presided over by herself and removed Nijalingappa from

President. Both groups, Congress (O) under the leadership of

144

Dinamalar (Tamil Daily), January 9, 1969, p.3. 145

The Hindu, January 10, 1969, p.1. 146

C.P.S.Vairavan, Op.cit., p.238. 147


Muruga Dhanushkodi, Op.cit., p.214.

52

Kamaraj and Morarji and Congress (R) under Indira Gandhi

conducted meetings separately, each group expelling the other from

the Party.149

The split in the Congress Party had been completed by

December 1969. 446 out of 705 members of A.I.C.C had walked over

to Indira Gandhi’s side150

and thus the Congress (R) was recognised

as real Indian National Congress by the Election Commission of

India.

In 1971, Kamaraj was elected as Member of Parliament again

from Nagercoil Constituency, but this time as a candidate from

Congress (O), by securing 215,324 votes against his opponent

M.C.Balan from D.M.K who had managed 114,771 votes.151

This

was the last ever election Kamaraj contested and remained an M.P of

Nagercoil Constituency until his death.

In 1975, Allahabad High Court issued its verdict on June 12

that the election of Indira Gandhi from Rae Bareilli Parliamentary

Constituency, Uttar Pradesh, was invalid as she had used Government

machinery for election campaign152

.

Morarji Desai and Jaya Prakash Narayan announced that

Indira Gandhi should step down but she did not resign and continued

to get stay orders from the Court on the technical grounds. So leaders

149


Chandra, Bipan & others, India after Independence 1947-2000, (New Delhi:

Penguin Books, 2000), p.236 151

M.S. Muthuswamy, Op.cit., p.234 152

The Hindu, June 13, 1975, p.1.

53

like Jaya Prakash Narayan called for internal civil disobedience.153

Subsequently, shortly before midnight on June 26, 1975, a national

emergency was proclaimed by President of India Fakrudin Ali

Ahmed on the basis of advice from Indira Gandhi on the grounds of

security of India was threatened by internal disturbances.154

Many leaders including Jaya Prakash Narayan, Morarji and

Charan Singh were arrested under preventive detention but Kamaraj

was not arrested. All the media were censored.155

Kamaraj was

greatly disappointed by this move from Indira Gandhi and felt

heartbroken as Indira Gandhi was originally his choice for Prime

Minister, almost a decade ago, in 1966.

Kamaraj expected the Emergency to last only for brief period

but the subsequent arrests of Congress leader Acharya Kripalani had

let him to lose hope on the lift of Emergency. His health worsened

during this period with acute fever, blood pressure and blood sugar.156

When his health condition showed some improvements, Kamaraj

celebrated his 73rd

birthday, as simple as he could, on July 15, 1975.

He was completely disturbed by the declaration of Emergency and

mostly contained himself at home. On October 02, 1975, on the

birthday of Gandhi, Kamaraj passed away in a heart attack at his

home on 3.15P.M.157

In 1976, Bharat Ratna (Gem of India), the highest civilian

honor of India for exceptional service towards Art, Literature,

153

Trevor Drieberg, Sarla Jag Mohan, Emergency in India, (New Delhi: Manas

Publications, 1975), p.43. 154

Ibid., p.1. 155

N.V. Kalaimani, Op.cit., p.426.. 156

Ibid. 157

The Hindu, October 3, 1975, p.1.

54

Science and recognition of Public Service, was conferred on him

posthumously.158

The suggestion, for awarding Bharat Ratna to

Kamaraj, had been given by Indira Gandhi to the President of

India.159

158

R.K. Murthi, Encyclopedia of Bharat Ratnas, (New Delhi: Pitambar

Publishing, 2005), p.90. 159

Ibid.

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